Emergency Services

  There are many reasons why you may need a new washbasin for your bathroom. Perhaps it's starting to show signs of wear and tear. Replacing a sink that is chipped, cracked or simply out of fashion can be very time consuming for a layman, but once you've familiarised yourself with the basics, it won't seem so daunting. Measure To replace a bathroom sink , the first thing you need to do is take the correct measurements. Firstly, measure the length, width and depth of the sink. Measure the worktop to determine the dimensions of the surface on which the sink will stand. Buying the washbasin Replace the sink by buying a new one from your local DIY store. Make sure you take the dimensions with you. The dimensions of the new sink should be the same or larger than the old one. If it is larger, you will need to adjust the worktop to fit the new sink. Turn off the water Before you replace the sink, you must switch off the water supply to the sink. You must remove the tap and drain s...

  A clogged double sink in the kitchen is a messy affair. You can fix most clogs yourself with a few simple tools. With double sinks, the two basins share a single drain, so clearing the clog in one basin will usually unclog the drain in both basins. Plug one of the basin drains with a plug or wet rag. Hold the plug in place. Add 10 cm of water to the other clogged basin. Turn the rubber cup of the siphon into the water so that the cup fills with water and not air. Place the cup over the drain and pump the handle up and down 20 times. Pull the plunger out of the drain and allow the water to drain. If your double sink has a garbage disposal, you will need to submerge the sink with the disposal first. Turn on the disposer and run the faucet to flush the unit and drain the water . Check the other basin to see if it drains. Check the trap under the sink for clogs. Shine the flashlight on the area under the sink if necessary. Place a bucket under the siphon. Put on rubber gloves. L...

  When a toilet is functioning properly, the water flows quickly from the tank into the bowl and on to the sewer line when the flush handle is activated. It is important that the water flows quickly because this movement creates the suction in the line that triggers the actual flush. Sluggish flow can be caused by a problem with the flushing mechanism, restricted flow between the tank and the bowl, a blockage in the waste line, or even poor venting. You don't have to be particularly systematic in your troubleshooting; you can try the simpler remedies first. Bump the toilet with a fixture that fits into the drain opening. Plunging is easy, and if the sluggish flush is caused by a partial blockage in the drain, it can probably be cleared with a plunger. If the toilet shows other signs of clogging, such as a back-up, you should use a toilet plunger to clear the clog if the plunger doesn't work. If you hear the gurgling   sounds, it means there is not enough air in the drain...

  The gurgling sound you hear from the sink when you flush the toilet may sound harmless, but it can lead to problems if you don't stop it. It means that the pipes are not properly vented, which can lead to slow water flow and eventually clogs. The gurgling occurs when air flows through the sink's trap. When there is enough air to drain the siphon, there is no longer a barrier between you and the foul, methane-laden fumes. Cleaning the vents can be as simple as plunging the toilet, but if the problem persists, you may need to repair some pipes. Close the sink drain, cover the overflow pipes with tape, and submerge the toilet. A partial blockage in the toilet drain pipe can force air through the sink drain, and submerging the toilet can clear the blockage. If you cover the sink drain, the force of the plunger will stay in the pipes. Listen for the gurgling sound. If it is still there, try again. Keep doing the plunge until you are sure it has no effect. Get up on the roo...

  Your pets may be drinking from the toilet. To make sure that's not the problem, keep the lid closed for a few days and watch the water level. If all else fails, close and remove the toilet to find a stubborn clog in the back of the trap. If the water level in the toilet bowl drops when you're not using the toilet, it's easy to suspect a leak . A disposable diaper, tampon or rag could be partially blocking the internal trap and creating a siphon that is draining the bowl. It is also possible that a vacuum in the sewer line, caused by clogged vents, is drawing water from the toilet. Either of these possibilities is preferable to an actual leak, as it means the bowl is cracked and needs to be replaced. Step 1 Listen for gurgling sounds coming from the toilet when you empty the bathtub or flush another toilet . These are sounds of air being sucked through the toilet to fill the vacuum in the drain. These sounds occur when the vents are blocked. It is also likely that...

  Drain plugs have become an essential bathroom sink accessory, but they don't always work as they should. Sometimes they remain fully or partially open, preventing the sink from holding water. The problem can be sediment in the drain, but often it's also due to a loose connection between the lift rod and the lever that controls the stopper. Installing the lift rod, which usually sits just behind the faucet spout, isn't difficult, but don't rely on your fingers. To do it right, you need to be able to see what you're doing, and you'll need pliers. Insert the lift rod into the hole behind the faucet spout. As long as there is nothing in the way, it will drop all the way down. Crawl under the sink with a flashlight and find the lever of the pop-up stopper. Pull the lever down to open the stopper, and have someone hold the stopper open while you lift the lever. If the lever is connected properly, you will feel resistance. If not, unscrew and remove the nut ho...